'''The Divine Liturgy of St. Tikhon''' is one of the liturgies authorized for use by the [[AOCA|Antiochian]] [[Western Rite Vicariate]] (AWRV). It is authorized for use in the AWRV in two forms: that of the ''Orthodox Missal'' and that of the ''Saint Andrew's Service Book,'' although virtually all parishes in the AWRV celebrate only that of the ''Orthodox Missal''.

+

−

+

−

==Origins of the Rite==

+

−

The Liturgy of St Tikhon was produced in the 1970's for use by Episcopalians who wished to convert to Orthodoxy but retain the liturgy to which they were accustomed. The text of the [[liturgy]], therefore, is based upon the Episcopal Church's 1928 ''Book of Common Prayer'', along with certain features of the Mass of the Catholic Church prior to its reform after the Second Vatican Council, as well certain modifications to make it conform to Orthodox theology and practice (such as a strengthened [[epiclesis]], the omission of the [[filioque]] from the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed]]). The adaptation of the rite was the work of Father Joseph Angwin. The naming of the liturgy after [[Tikhon of Moscow|St Tikhon the Enlightener of America]] is based upon events that occurred when St Tikhon was the ruling bishop of the American diocese of the [[Church of Russia]]. Some Episcopalians who wished to become Orthodox asked [[Bishop]] Tikhon whether they might be allowed to continue to use their Anglican liturgy (that of the American 1892 ''Book of Common Prayer''). He sent the BCP to Moscow, where a commission was appointed to examine they issue. The final report addressed the changes that would need to be made in the BCP in order to make it suitable for Orthodox worship, but neither the Commission nor Bishop Tikhon approved a rite. The Holy Synod noted in its Observations that the specific rite "can be carried out only on the spot, in America," and found it "desirable to send the 'Observations' themselves to the Right Rev. Tikhon, the American Bishop." Between communications, the Episcopalians who had petitioned St. Tikhon withdrew. Thus, St. Tikhon could not receive any Episcopalians before returning to Russia in 1907. However, some of the recommendations for the liturgy and canonical hours of prayer were implemented by the [[Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America]]. ROCOR has since implemented some of them, as well, in approving "The English Liturgy." Hierarchs in the Antiochian, Alexandrian, and Moscow Patriarchates, as well as ROCOR, have approved a form of this liturgy.